How to Solve Steam Disk Write Error – 7 Methods

The Steam disk write error can happen when you are updating or downloading a game you purchased on the Steam platform. This message typically appears when you try to download or install a new game or try to update a game that you earlier installed. It can also arise when you try to start a game that requires an update.

Cause of Steam Disk Write Error 

Normally, when updating or installing a famous Steam game, like Football Manager, Tree of Savior, DotaUnderlords, Team Fortress, and Kenshi you may face an error that implies a Steam disk write error or maybe disk read error. You can relate to the error details.

The disk write error can occur when:

• The drive or Steam folder is write-protected.
• There are deficits in the hard drive.
• Your firewall or antivirus blocks Steam from downloading and saving data.
• There are damaged or outdated data in the Steam directory.

Fixing the Steam Disk Write Error

1. Run as Administrator 

Navigate to the repository location of Steam (default position is C:/program files [86]/Steam). Right-click on the steam.exe and move to Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab in Properties and make sure, run this program as an administrator, is checked. Tap Apply and run Steam again. Verify if the Steam disk write error has been resolved.

2. Delete the 0KB File

This resolution is given by a Reddit user and several users rate it helpful. In brief, he just worked on this problem by moving into Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common and just removing a file titled Fallout that was 0KB in size. When he launched the game again, Fallout 4 loaded up correctly. This resolution might also be helpful when updating related games.

3. Remove Write Protection

When a disk is write-protected, you are incapable to change the writing and formatting. This is a different possible reason for the Steam disk write error. Please make sure the catalog of Steam is NOT read-only. Then right click your Steam launch icon and tap on Run as administrator.

But if the disk is previously written protected, you can easily clear write protection and eliminate the error applying the command.

Take Windows 10 for example- Run Command Prompt as an Administrator. Then copy these commands one by one and tap the Enter key after each:

1. diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk # (# is the number of the hard drive with which you have the disk error)
4. attributes disk clear readonly

You can terminate the Command Prompt, return to the upgrading/downloading process, and verify if the Steam disk write error Windows 10 solved or not.

4. Move Steam Game Folder to another Drive

A different efficient way to resolve Steam disk write error is by shifting Steam to a different healthy drive. A manual copy cannot confirm the result. All you require is EaseUSTodoPCTrans. It gives Steam users with 3 practical game transfer modes: Image Transfer, PC to PC, and App Migration. Each performs the best overall Steam game shift tool to move a PC game to a different drive automatically.

To shift Steam games to a different drive:

1. Attach the target drive to your PC.
2. Select the games you need to replace the location.
3. Shift the games to the target drive.

5. Check Integrity for Steam Game Files

Just check integrity for Steam games folders at first if you see games keep failing or their models missing unknowingly.

1. Reboot the system and then start Steam.
2. Choose the LIBRASY tab and right-click the game that transmits disk errors and press on Properties.
3. Tap on the Local Files tab, and then you can see the Verify Integrity Of Game File key. Press it.

Steam begins checking game folders, which may need a couple of minutes. Please note that some files may decline to check, which is common for most Steam games. That’s because these folders are local configuration files, and they cannot be displaced as part of this action.

When all folders are verified successfully, you can retry installing updates and see whether the disk error is eliminated.

6. Delete Corrupted Files in Log

Navigate to Steam/logs/content log and open it. Scroll to the foot of the log list, and view for a failed to write failure, which will post the file name and path of the problem. Please follow the path to remove the contaminated file, and then copy the upgrading/downloading.

7. Contact Steam Official Support

You can also go to Steam’s official help center for guidance. Its technical support crew can walk you through possible solutions for your particular problem. You can also get help in the Steam Community forum.

1. Move to the support team for guidance.
2. Visit the Steam Community forum to receive further information.

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